Spring shackle



March 11, 1930. G. HUNT 1,749,818

SPRING SHACKLE Filed Nov. 21, 1927 ATToR Patented Mar. 11, 1930 lnlalfllll) STATE-s PATENT OFFICE GEDRGE HUNT, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE STUDEBAKER COR- PonA'rIoN, or SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, A

CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY SPRING SHACXLE Application led November 21, 1927. Serial No. 234,693.

This invention relates to vehicle springs and more particularly to means for shackling the springs vto the vehicle frame.

Heretofore, it has been the practice kto Vprovide spring shackles with shackle pins which have movement transversely of the springs. Some of these shackles consisted of a bolt extending through the shackle links and spring eye and a nut threaded onthe bolt to draw the links loosely against the'sides of the spring eye. It has been found rfrom tests, that when a Vvehicle turns a corner, or for other reasons the shackle pins move longitudinally in the spring eyes and usually ref main in that position. Further tests have Irevealed that practically all the squeaking noises in spring shackles come from these conditionsin which the shackle pins have moved as just described, allowing the shackle links to contact with and rub against the sides of the spring eye and spring hanger. Hence, it is the principal object of the present invention, to provide a spring shackle with means for anchoring the shackle pins against longitudinal movement in order to prevent frictional engagement betweenY the shackle links and the sides of the spring.

Another object is to provide a .spring shackle with a two-piece shackle pin which holds the shackleV links in spaced Yrelationship relative to the sides of thespring'to prevent frictional contact between the same, whereby squeaking noises are avoided.

35 A further object is to provide a spring shackle with "a two-piece non-rotatable shackle pin, ,each portion thereof having an integral collar abutting against the sides of the spring eye, one portion thereof having a projecting dowel receivable by a recess in the other portion to insure perfect alignment thereof in the spring eye, the ends of the pin portions holding the shackle links in spaced relationship relative tothe sides of the spring ,eye to prevent rubbing `engagement between the same, whereby squeaking noises are avoided.

These being among the objects of the present invention, the same consists of certain features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing, and then claimed, having the ,above and other objectsin view. f

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates a suitable embodiment ,of the invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a spring connected to a vehicle frame Vby a shackle, certain parts being broken away and in section to more clearly show the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged partial section taken on the line 2 2 of Figure l, more clearly showing the shackle construction.V

Referring to the accompanying drawing, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, .the vehicle frame side `channel 10 is provided with a conventional depending spring hanger 11 secured thereto in horizontal and vertical planes by rivets 1 2. The vehicle spring 13 and frame spring hanger 11 are connected bp a pair of spaced shackle links 14, one link being positioned at One side of the spring 13 and spring hanger 11, and the other being positioned at the other side of the same,

The lower end of the spring hanger 11 is provided with a circular serrated opening 15 which receives the upper shackle pin. This' pincomprises-two portions 16 and 17, each of which has a serrated cylindrical surface, a circumferential Collar `or shoulder 18 adjacent the outer end, andy a .circumferential curved bearing surface 19 formed by filleting the intersection o f the cylindrical surface yand outer end faces. These portions 16 .and 17 are forced into the serrated opening 15 with a press yfit at each side of the hanger 11 and 'the shoulders y18 of each abuts against the adjacent side of the hanger 11. The pin portion 17 is provided with a central integral rdowel 2O at its inner end, which is telescopically received in a central'opening 21 in the inner end of the pin portion 16 to insure perfect alignment ofthe two portions 16 and 17.

' The end of the spring 13 is rolled upwardly and rearwardly to provide a spring eye 22 which receives the lower shackle pin. This Y pin is identical with the upper pin and will not be described. The shoulders of this twopart pin kalso abut against the 4sides ofthe spring eye 22.

The shackle links 14 may be stamped from sheet metal or castings as desired, and are formed with cup-shaped ends 23, the'depressions of which receive Vhardened steel ball races 24. The ball races 24 contain a plurality of ball bearings 25'which, when the shackle is completely assembled, seaton" the curvedy bearing surfacesl) of the shackle pin portions 16 and 17 to carry the entire load of the vehicle.. Lubricant retaining rings comprising felt washers 26 surrounding the ends of the pin portions and enclosed byv metallic casings 27, seat within the ball races 24 Vto prevent .the ylubricant for the bearing surfaces from escaping from the ball races 24.

The shackle links 14 are separated by a spacertube 28 extending therebetween and are securedtogether by al bolt 29 extending through the spacer tube 28. A nut 30 threaded on the end of the bolt 29, holds the shackle in assembled position. If desired, a plurality of shims 31`may be inserted between the ends of the spacer tube 28 and the links 14 to allow the shackle to be adjusted to Obtain the correct bearing pressure between'the ballk lfoearings 27 and their respective bearingsuraces. f

rlhe pin portions 16 and 17 hold the shackle links 14 in spaced relationship relative to the sides of the spring hanger 11 and spring 13 Vso that' there is no possibility of frictional contact between the same. Arlhis is a decided advantage over constructions used heretofore, because the squeaking noises which usually occur in spring Vshackles are avoided.'r

Formal changes may be made in the suitable embodimentk oftheinvention described without departing' from the spirit and substanceof the invention, the yscope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

Wha-t I claim is: Y .Y j 'I L 1. The combination with a vehicle frame and spring, of means connecting said` spring to. said frame comprising a spring hanger secured to and depending from saidv frame and having a transverse openingtherein, a Y pair of pins extending into said opening at opposite sides of said hanger, one of said pins having 4a central cylindrical recess formed in itsV inner end, an integral'central dowel formed on the inner end ofthe other of said pins, said dowelbeing telescopicallyreceived by said recess to insure axial alignment ofV `said eye from opposite said pins in said hanger opening, integral circumferential shoulders formed on said pins adjacent the outer ends thereof to abut against the sides of said hanger, and a pair of spaced complementary links pivotally connected at their lower ends to said springs and pivotally supported at their upper ends by said pins, said pins spacing said links from the sides of said spring hanger and prevent-V.l

ing transverse movement thereof.

2. The combination with' a vehicle frame, of a spring having an end rolled to provide a spring eye, a pair of pins extending into said pinshaving" a central cylindricahrecess 'in its vinner'end face, a central integral dowel formed on the inner endY face of the other of vsaid pins, said dowel being telescopically received by said' recess to insure axial align-` ment of said pins in s-aidspring eye, integral circumferential flanges onsaid pins adjacent the outer ends thereof Yalt'iuvzting against the sides of said spring, and a pair of spacedvopsides thereof, V'one of pbsitely disposedV links connectedattheir upv per ends to said frame and pivotally connected at their lower ends to thev ends of said pins, said pins spacing said links' from the sides of said spring to restrain said links from engaging therewith.

y 3. ln a shackle for connecting a vehicle frame and a vehicle spring, a spring hanger' secured tosaid frame having a serrated transverse opening, a serrated spring eye rolled in an end of 'said springga pair of shackle pins having serrated cylindrical surfaces extending into said serrated hanger opening from opposite'sides thereof, integral circumferen- `ion tial flanges adjacent 'the ends ofY said pins abutting .against the sides ofr` said spring hanger, a second pair of shackle pins having serrated cylindrical surfaces extending into said spring eyev from .opposite sides thereof,

integral4 circumferential flangesy adjacent the o uter ends of saidsecond pair of pins abutting against-the sidesy of said spring eye, and

a `pair ofqoppositely disposed shackle linksV pivotally connecting the ends of saidpairof pins, said serrated surfacesof said pins restraining said pins againstrotation in said hanger and spring eye, and saidshoulders on said pins restraining said linksfrom engaging the sides of said hanger ,and spring. A f

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4. A spring shackle comprising apair of spaced complementary links, kand pins pivotally mounted within said links adjacent the ends thereof, Jeach of said pinsycomprisingV a female memberand a malemember joined to.- gether intermediate the outer ends thereof,

and iiangesfony said pin members to preventY transverse movement of said joined pin memoers. Y

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5. A spring shackle comprisinga pair of spaced complementary links, means extending between and secured to said links to prevent rtheir separation, and a pin havinga:

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